This thread is intended to be information of my experience only, good and bad, and I would appreciate feed bad to help me understand what may be best in the way of purchased cast bullets.
Last year I purchased a Winchester Model 94 in like new condition. Being anxious to shoot it using cast bullets for light to mid-range loads I tried several 30 caliber bullets that I cast. None of my bullets are the flat nose design or are the wrong length for magazine feeding in this tube feed rifle, although some performed very well on target.
I went online looking for some 30 caliber flat nosed cast bullets intended of tube feed rifles. I found "Hunters Supply Bullets", 165 grain and .311" diameter, flat base. I ordered (500) and the bullets I received looked pretty good, except the bases were not filled out well on many of the bullets.
The bullet crimp groove leaves too much bullet nose forward of the case neck making the over all length of the cartridge too long to feed through the rifle, forcing me to seat the bullets a little deeper. The results of several loads that grouped best at fifty yards were mixed. There were at least one or two flyers in every ten shot group, which is about the same ratio of poorly filled out bullet bases.
Next I purchased some "Oregon Trail" 165 grain flat point 30 caliber cast bullets. These bullets look great and I see no defects. The bullet shape and crimp groove location are right for proper feeding from the tube magazine. These bullets are bevel based. I haven't had a chance to fire any yet but expect they will do quite well. I will report the results of my testing.
I also purchased some "Penn Bullets", 150 grain flat nosed 30 caliber bullets. I received them yesterday and opened the box to see how these bullets looked. Now I am not trying to trash Penn Bullets. I simply haven't decided what I should do with bullets that I consider defective at this point. I do intend to call and see what course of action Penn bullets suggests. The bullets I received looked fine except for one thing. The bevel bases had what I call flash or finning caused by a sprue plate not fitting properly with the mould. It is inconsistent and sometimes not at all. About 25% to 30% of the bullets have this defective base condition. Needless to say, I can't expect much in the way of accuracy with these bullets.
I will report back with whatever action Penn Bullets recomends.